Case Number 14368

REDBELT (BLU-RAY)

The Charge

Improve the position!

Opening Statement

David Mamet was one of the first names I really knew in cinema. I don't
remember exactly how old I was, but something about seeing Glengarry Glen
Ross really impressed me. The acting was amazing, and I recall it being one
of the first times I really cared about how the dialogue was crafted. It was no
longer a vehicle for delivering story points, but became (in Mamet's hands) a
kind of poetry, something to be appreciated outside the context of the
narrative. I became an instant Mamet fan, following his career ever since. Even
with my appreciation for his genius, I was highly skeptical when I heard his new
film would focus on the booming world of MMA. Not surprisingly, nothing about
Redbelt is as simple as it seems, and Mamet provides a very satisfying
martial arts film that balances fighting and philosophy.

Facts of the Case

Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Serenity) runs a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
dojo that's barely scraping by. When an accident causes his window to be broken,
it sets off a chain of events that will lead this pure martial artist into the
corruption of the prizefighting world.

The Evidence

In my review of the Blu-ray release of Never Back Down (another MMA
flick), I lamented the hypocrisy that most fight films succumb to: the
protagonist must spend most of the film preaching non-violence (or
non-competitiveness in this case), but magically he or she must give in and
fight in the tournament or battle du jour. Most films give a fairly compelling
reason for the competition (like a kidnapped girlfriend or family member), but
leave it to Mamet to give us a compelling, complex, even adult reason for
Mike Terry's decision to take to the ring. Terry is tangled in a web that
borders on the fantastic (I don't want to give too much away), but the interests
which compel him to fight are surprisingly mature (and practical): financial
stability and acceptance of responsibility.

This departure from fight-film conventions should clue the prospective
viewer into the fact that Mamet's film is not going to deliver on the usual
martial arts pleasures. There are no extended beatdowns, no rousing
come-from-behind victory, and no satisfying conclusion. Instead, we get a
profound meditation on the place of honor and philosophy in the modern society.
Though Chiwetel Ejiofor's Mike Terry, we watch the toll, both personal and
professional, that having a code can have on a person. In that respect,
Redbelt hearkens back to samurai films in a way not dissimilar to
Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai.

While fight fans may be disappointed, Mamet fans will not. The director's
trademark dialogue and focus on masculinity is in full effect. We also get his
amazing eye for actors. Some of the fighters we see in the film are from the MMA
world, and it's often difficult to distinguish between those who are usually
paid to act and those who are paid to fight. Still, however good the fighters
are, this movie belongs to Chiwetel Ejiofor. He plays Terry as low-key and
competent. He's a fighter who understands that the battle is often won in the
mind. It also helps that he looks utterly convincing during the film's fights.
The other delight in the film is Tim Allen. He looks like he's put on a little
weight (which is perfect for his role as an aging action star). I didn't know he
could do gravitas like this. I hope his role here gets him more dramatic work in
the future.

The cinematography also deserves mention. The look of the film is hard and
sharp, which fits Terry's philosophy perfectly. Also, the fight scenes are
captured in a provocative style. The impact of the fight scenes is slightly
reminiscent of those found in the Bourne series. But, where those fights
often relied on intensity to overcome the sometimes confusing aspects of the
fights, Redbelt keeps the intensity up while also ensuring that the
audience can identify both fighters and what they are doing. However, the
primary intensity of the fights in Redbelt stems from their emotional
impact more than the force of the blows. These aren't visceral fights (as in
Fight Club) where the audience is meant to feel each hit. Rather,
Redbelt keeps the fights interesting because of the emotional stakes at
play.

This Blu-ray release of Redbelt complements the film's strengths. The
transfer (at 2.40:1 in contrast to Mamet's other work) is wonderful. The
presentation is very film-like, with vivid saturation and enough grain to be
convincing. The audio does an equally fine job, keeping both dialogue and music
balanced.

The supplements for this release are many and varied. We hear from Mamet and
fighter Randy Couture on a commentary. The two have a lot to say about the
production, as well as the wider world of MMA. Keeping up with Mamet, we get a
long (20-plus minutes) interview/Q&A with him. There's also an EPK-style
featurette that focuses on the production. The extras also include some info on
MMA itself. We get "Inside Mixed Martial Arts" which has a lot of
repetition, but makes up for it with the breadth of the participants. For those
who want to know more about the fighters, a number of profiles are included.
Finally, there's a featurette on Cyril Takayama's magical arts to round out the
disc.

The Rebuttal Witnesses

If you go in looking for a traditional fight film (something like
Bloodsport), you will likely be disappointed. The fights and action in
Redbelt are nearly as viscerally satisfying as those found in other
martial arts films. Also, the film is a little slow (compared to other
action/fight films), taking its time setting up the characters and
situation.

Closing Statement

Redbelt is another excellent entry into David Mamet's body of work. By
providing interesting characters, complex relationships, and fight philosophy in
a single package, Mamet has shown that the samurai film can survive in the
twenty-first century. Whether you're new or returning to the film, this Blu-ray
disc will provide an above-average audiovisual experience while also providing a
number of informative supplements.

The Verdict

Redbelt really earns its title by providing a master-level film about
fighting. Not guilty.